Gretel (yes, that Gretel) is now thirty-five, very large, still living with her brother Hans, and working as a private investigator in the small, sleepy town of Gesternstadt. When the workshop of the local cart maker is burnt to the ground and a body is discovered in the ashes, it is Gretel who notices that the cadaver is missing a finger. At first she does not see this as significant, as her mind is fully focused on tracing three missing cats. It is not until she is further into her investigations that she realizes the two events are inextricably and dangerously connected, and that the mystery of the missing cats will lead her into perilous situations and frightening company.
